In a quarterback-driven league, elite outside linebackers are the pass-rushing demons who thrive on driving those men under center into the ground. Think of them as chaos-causing, counter-punching spread defenders with the versatility to drop into coverage or stop the run when they're not harassing, hurrying and pummeling signal callers in an increasingly pass-heavy, wide-open game.

John Elway's competitive juices are flowing again. The Hall of Fame quarterback, who took over as the Denver Broncos' chief of football operations this year, said that during his first foray into the draft room, "I felt like I was playing a football game. I think that's why I was exhausted every night."

Those thick-rimmed glasses couldn't hide Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller's tears when his name was called second overall by the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Miller kept commissioner Roger Goodell waiting a few extra moments. Miller wanted to share the most special moments of his life with his mother, Gloria and his father, Von Sr., whom he took turns hugging for several emotional seconds.

The Buffalo Bills did not make a sexy move with the third overall pick at the start of the three-day NFL draft Thursday night, but their fans in attendance applauded what appears to be a solid decision with the selection of defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.